Gas leak causes evacuation at Nipissing U

BRACEBRIDGE - One person was treated by paramedics after a minor gas leak forced a brief evacuation of a Nipissing University residence building in Bracebridge.
Bracebridge firefighters and paramedics were called to the Wellington Street school at around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, after receiving reports of a possible natural gas leak.
One student who lives in the building was treated by ambulance crews for exposure to natural gas, but was not hospitalized.
“The smell of the mercaptans that’s mixed with the natural gas was detected in the residence yesterday evening,” said Nipissing University spokesman Bob Pipe.
“One residence student/staff member did feel unwell, and she was checked out by the paramedics who determined there was no cause for concern.”
Pipe said the residence building manager was notified after the smell of gas was detected, who then made the call to emergency crews. He said students vacated the building and were evacuated to the main campus as a precautionary measure.
Bracebridge fire chief Murray Medley said a leaking regulator was later found to be the problem.
“They evacuated the building, and Union Gas came and fixed everything all up, and they were allowed to go back into the building,” he said.
Pipe said the leak happened outside the residence building, and was later attributed to an ice buildup. He said crews got the ice cleared off shortly afterwards, and repairs were performed the next morning.
“Union Gas did investigate the building and detected a small amount of gas coming in through the venting system,” he said. “It was not a cause of concern according to the fire department and Union Gas.”
Pipe said students were allowed back into their homes shortly before midnight.